Teaching English overseas offers opportunities abound for those avid travelers with goals to explore the world and experience a new culture. It is no more regarded as a temporary option for students on a gap year or fresh graduates keen to travel around a bit before settling down with a corporate job. Teaching English as a foreign language or TEFL has brought forth a new meaning in terms of gaining an international work exposure. Native speakers or non-native speakers with a good command over English armed with a Bachelor's degree and a TESOL certification can look forward to gaining professional experience while travelling to various exotic destinations around the world. English language has been ruling the roost in every sector and this has brought to the fore a diverse range of TEFL job openings and career opportunities for ESL/EFL teachers.
A TEFL certification from an internationally recognized service provider opens doors to diverse professional career opportunities and aid in expanding one's personal horizon while living abroad. There are several specific teaching programs that can be tapped according to one's personal requirement and earn one's way abroad. The world of TEFL is evolving every single day and embarking on a teaching English abroad journey will prove to be much more than travelling, it is about skill building and a great way to explore one's career interest and turning a passion into a full-fledged career.
ESL/EFL teaching can finance one's travel as exploring various exotic destinations can be heavy on the pockets. Teaching English in countries like Japan, Korea and Taiwan will allow one to have a good savings and students can pay off their educational loans while they teach and travel. TEFL could also be a stepping stone to a lucrative teaching career in international schools. Mid-career changers looking for a change in a foreign country can go for teaching English abroad and make a fresh start. ESL/EFL teaching will help in expanding the resume and getting an international work experience which proves to be beneficial for furthering one's career especially those who are planning to settle abroad.
With the future of TESOL likely to grow and develop as a profession, there is a rising tide of enthusiasm among the native speakers of English with a dream to travel and teach in exotic foreign locations like South East Asia to Far East, Latin America to Africa and Middle East to Eastern Europe. Different countries have different norms. The sought-after TEFL destinations are Thailand, China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan and Eastern European countries like Hungary, Poland and Czech Republic. There are visa restrictions for non-EU nationals in Western Europe but still Spain, Portugal and Greece offer many teaching opportunities. Handsome package can be expected in Middle East with several restrictions though but on the contrary Latin American countries like Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Peru and Venezuela recruit ESL/EFL teachers on a regular basis.